In Town.
1.
I wave a friend across the street,1
We never yet exchanged a word,2
Yet dear to me, his accents sweet,3
I am a woman,—he a bird.4
2.
And here we twain in exile dwell,5
Far from our native woods and skies,6
And dewy lawns with healthful smell,7
Where daisies lift their laughing eyes.8
3.
Never again from moss-built nest,9
Shall the caged woodlark blithely soar ;10
Never again the heath be pressed,11
By foot of mine for evermore !12
4.
Yet from that feathered, quivering throat,13
A blessing wins across to me ;14
No thrall can hold that mellow note,15
Or quench its flame in slavery.16
5.
When morning dawns in holy calm,17
And each true heart to worship calls,18
Mine is the prayer, but his the psalm,19
That floats about our prison walls.20
6.
And as behind the thwarting wires21
The captive creature throbs and sings,22
With him my mounting soul aspires,23
On Music’s strong and cleaving wings.24
7.
My chains fall off, the prison gates25
Fly open, as with magic key ;26
And far from life’s perplexing straits,27
My spirit wanders, swift and free.28
8.
Back to the heather, breathing deep29
The fragrance of the mountain breeze,30
I hear the wind’s melodious sweep,31
Through tossing boughs of ancient trees.32
9.
Beneath a porch where roses climb,33
I stand as I was used to stand,34
Where cattle-bells with drowsy chime35
Make music in the quiet land.36
10.
Fast fades the dream in distance dim,37
Tears rouse me with a sudden shock ;38
Lo ! at my door, erect and trim,39
The postman gives his double knock.40
11.
And a great city’s lumbering noise41
Arises with confusing hum,42
And whistling shrill of butchers’ boys ;43
My day begins, my bird is dumb.44